Budhendra Kumar Jain

Budhendra Kumar Jain
Born5 December, 1948
Died27 February, 2026
CitizenshipIndian
Alma materShyam Shah Medical College
Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital
OccupationsOphthalmologist, Social Worker
Known forRural eye care services in Chitrakoot
AwardsPadma Shri 2025

Budhendra Kumar Jain (5 December 1948 - 27 February 2026) was an Indian ophthalmologist and social worker, recognized for his efforts to expand affordable and quality eye care in rural India. He served as the medical director of Sadguru Netra Chikitsalaya, a prominent eye hospital located in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh.[1] He was awarded the Padma Shri, fourth-highest civilian award of India, in 2025 in the field of medicine.[2]

Early life and education

Jain was born in Satna, Madhya Pradesh. He completed his primary education at the Government Venkat No. 1 School in Satna. He pursued his MBBS degree from Shyam Shah Medical College, Rewa, graduating in 1973, and obtained his postgraduate degree from Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital, Sion, Mumbai, in 1979.[3]

Career

Jain has played a pivotal role in expanding the hospital's outreach and capacity, enabling thousands of cataract surgeries and eye-related treatments annually. His work has helped Sadguru Netra Chikitsalaya become one of the leading institutions for community ophthalmology in India.[2][4]

Jain’s focus has been on making eye care accessible in remote and tribal areas, often organizing free eye camps and mobile outreach programs in underserved regions.[5]

Awards

In 2025, Jain was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India, by the Government of India for his distinguished contributions to medicine, particularly in the field of ophthalmology and rural health services.[6][7][8]

Death

Dr. Budhendra Kumar Jain passed away on February 27, 2026, at the age of 77, following a prolonged battle with cancer. After undergoing extensive medical treatment in Kokilaben Hospital Mumbai, he took his last breath at 4:24 PM IST ,he was transported via air ambulance back to Chitrakoot on the afternoon of February 27. His passing triggered a wave of mourning across the Bundelkhand region and the broader Indian medical community. Public viewings for his final darshan were organized at the hospital, with his final rites scheduled to take place on March 1, 2026.

References

  1. ^ Rao, Gullapalli N. (2023). "Sadguru Netra Chikitsalaya Chitrakoot: A Great Example of Excellence in Eye Care". Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 71 (2): 327–329. doi:10.4103/IJO.IJO_106_23. PMC 10228970. PMID 36727312.
  2. ^ a b Singh, Ashish Kumar (27 January 2025). "Vision of Service: How Padma Shri Awardee Dr Budhendra Jain Changed Lives in Chitrakoot". NewsX World. NewsX. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  3. ^ "Padma Awards 2025: सादगुरु नेत्र अस्पताल के जनरल मेडिसिन स्पेशलिस्ट डॉ. बीके जैन को पद्मश्री" (in Hindi). Navbharat Times. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Padma Awards in Medicine: 2024-25 – 1 gets Padma Vibhushan, 1 gets Padma Bhushan, 8 conferred Padma Shri". Medical Dialogues. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  5. ^ "Five from Madhya Pradesh feted with Padma Shri award 2025". Free Press Journal. 27 January 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  6. ^ "Padma Awards 2025 Notification" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  7. ^ "Padma Awards 2025 Announced". Press Information Bureau. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  8. ^ "Padma Awards 2025: Full list of Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri winners". Hindustan Times. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.